Whether you’re in need of halal food or just crave a good Middle-Eastern feed, these are my top 3 spots for kebabs in Japan!
1. Ali Baba Kebab – Yokohama
By far the best kebab I’ve had in Japan was from a little cart called Ali Baba Kebab in the seaside city of Yokohama.
Claiming to be the “Best of Yokohama,” I wasn’t immediately convinced as they may well have been the only kebab shop in the whole town.
So I thought I’d raise the stakes and compare this bold little kebab cart to every other kebab I’ve had all over Japan!
I opted for the tortilla kebab which creatively featured a Mexican tortilla wrap instead of the usual Turkish or Lebanese bread we so often see.
I immediately had high hopes as this was easily the biggest kebab I had come across in Japan, a length comparable to those I’ve had back home in Sydney, Australia.
The meat was juicy and succulent and the sauce was savory yet tangy, all held together beautifully by a soft but strong tortilla wrap which I thought was a brilliant touch!
In addition to being halal certified (as most kebab shops tend to be), what really impressed me was the variety of menu items that transcended kebab wraps.
Ali Baba kebabs also offered bento packs, rice bowls, and salad combos all featuring their iconic juicy beef and chicken pieces.
There was also a generous selection of Turkish ice cream and frozen yogurts to choose from as part of their dessert menu!
2. King Kebab – Harajuku
In the heart of Harajuku just down the famous fashion district Takeshita Street lies a little-known shop called King Kebab.
If there’s a single kebab shop you will try in Japan, it most certainly should be this one, even though I said Yokohama’s is number one.
Reason being is you likely won’t find an establishment as unique as Harajuku’s King Kebab outside of Japan, from the shop setup right down to the succulent kebabs!
I call it a “kebab pouch,” this is a little bread wallet that holds the meat, vegetables, and sauce together strongly and sturdily and doesn’t fall apart, as we often see with wraps.
But not being messy isn’t the sole reason that I advocate for King Kebab, but it is the ingredients that make this an Oriental Middle-Eastern combination made in heaven!
Featuring a kind of sweet savory teriyaki sauce combined with the strong flavor of well-done kebab meat, you feel your taste buds are traveling the world when you sink your teeth into this cross-cultural delight!
Of all the kebab shops I’ve been to in Japan, King Kebab is definitely the most memorable as a standalone, unique Japanese-Turkish food experience.
In addition to delicious kebab sandwiches, this hidden gem of Harajuku also specializes in kebab sushi rolls, kebab rice plates, and crispy hot potato wedges!
All-in-all, King Kebab has grown into a rather popular food stall over the years, earning itself a permanent spot in Harajuku’s iconic Takeshita Street, impressing locals and tourists alike.
3. Antep Kebab – Akihabara
Last but not least is the little corner kebab shop in Akihabara, the “anime town” of Tokyo.
Antep Kebab is run by Mustafa-san, an Arabic and Japanese-speaking eccentric who is also fluent in the universal language of English!
Just around the corner from Akihabara station, it’s fairly easy to spot this kebab shop with its poster stand featuring a photo of Mustafa-san himself and some of his iconic dishes.
After a long day of geeking out at Akihabara, my travel buddy and I were craving a quick feed to keep us going until dinner.
Much like a Middle-Eastern mirage, we stumbled upon Antep Kebab and thought “Well, why not?” and hopped right in!
A rather unique kebab indeed, the Antep Kebab featured the usual meat and vegetables but also came with thick-cut wedges for some extra carbs and green pickle slices for a nice tangy touch.
The menu at Antep Kebab is quite extensive, featuring chicken, beef, and mixed protein options that can be enjoyed as a kebab sandwich, wrap, or rice bowl.
There are also vegan options including veggie patties and falafel, and of course, the meat is all 100% halal.
So there you have it! If you’re in Japan and have had enough ramen and sushi for the day, try mixing things up with a delicious kebab from one of these amazing outlets!
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